By Gabriella Chapman

THE National Insurance Scheme (NIS) has adjusted their pension payment system to allow for the prompt and smooth flow of payments to pensioners.

Through a collaborative effort between managerial staff and the Board of Directors, NIS has implemented a system whereby pension payments will commence from 06:00 hrs, and end when the last pensioner has been attended to.

NIS General Manager, Holly Greaves told the Guyana Chronicle that in the past, payments commenced at 08:00 or 08:30 hrs, and closed at 16:00 hrs, regardless of whether there were persons in line waiting to be paid.

The new system, she said, seeks to improve customer service, and give the elderly the service they deserve.
NIS Board Chairman, John Seeram said the aim is to be much more caring to pensioners.
“We want to make sure that when they come to collect their pension, they spend a minimum amount of time. In so doing, we have assigned more staff, in at least the first week, to make sure that all the paperwork is processed in a very prompt manner,” he said, adding:

“With regards to pensioners who are handicapped, in a wheelchair, or walking with a cane, we provide a fast lane for them. They are given priority. We don’t want them to sit and wait. And that is very important.”

He said, too, that since pensioners are coming from as early as 06:00hrs, NIS provides them with snacks, and something to drink.

“These pensioners would have given human service to the development and growth of Guyana over the past 30, 40 and even 50 years. Now they are getting their pension, we must recognise the work they have done, and treat them the way they should be treated; hence the reason why we have this new system,” Seeram added.

ARREARS PAYMENT
NIS has also started paying out the arrears for the minimum pensioners.
“What is actually happening this week is that we are paying out the arrears. The minimum pension is tied to the minimum wage. It is 50 per cent of the minimum wage. And with the increase in wages and salaries last year, the pension has now moved from 430,000 to $32,100. So we are paying out that difference now to pensioners,” he said.

There are approximately 28,000 old-age pensioners at the minimum who are going to be receiving that payment, and to a value of in excess of $455M.
Before month-end, Greaves said, NIS will be paying out the increase to invalidity and survivors pensioners.

She also highlighted that they have the facility for direct payment into pensioners’ bank accounts. Persons are being urged to come forward and be assisted with the process, so as to save them the hassle of having to go to the office.

Seeram noted that there are pensioners who are getting above the minimum, but a decision on the percentage to pay out is imminent.
“Once that decision is taken, within two to three weeks that payment will be materialised. and that is expected to be by the end of this month,” he said.

To help improve their services, NIS has a suggestion box, where they are urging pensioners to place suggestions on how they can improve their services. Merited suggestions will be implemented, Seeram said.

NIS is also urging persons not to wait until they are 60 to check on their records.
“By 55, they need to come in and let us know where the shortfall in their contribution is. We are also having name issues; persons are married and haven’t come in to change their names. We encourage them to use the opportunity to come in and have it changed,” Greaves said.

She noted that it is a joint effort, whereby both management and the Board are working at improving the system at NIS.